December 13, 2007

Published: Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 7:28 a.m.

MARION COUNTY

Merchant Marines can qualify for benefits
Merchant seamen who served in active ocean-going service from Dec. 7, 1941, to Aug. 15, 1945, are considered to be veterans and are eligible to qualify for benefits.
To be considered for VA benefits, these service people can apply for a discharge certificate (DD Form 214) by completing an Application for Discharge of Member or Survivor of Member of Group Certified to have Performed Active Duty with the Armed Services of the United States (DD Form 2168). The form should be sent to: The National Maritime Center (NMC-4A), 4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 630, Arlington, VA 22203-1804.
For more information, call (202)493-10000.MARION COUNTY
Are you a veteran and need some information?
The Veterans Administration provides these toll-free numbers where veterans can obtain information about the following:

<p class="bold allcaps">MARION COUNTY</p><b>Merchant Marines can qualify for benefits</b>
Merchant seamen who served in active ocean-going service from Dec. 7, 1941, to Aug. 15, 1945, are considered to be veterans and are eligible to qualify for benefits.<BR>
To be considered for VA benefits, these service people can apply for a discharge certificate (DD Form 214) by completing an Application for Discharge of Member or Survivor of Member of Group Certified to have Performed Active Duty with the Armed Services of the United States (DD Form 2168). The form should be sent to: The National Maritime Center (NMC-4A), 4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 630, Arlington, VA 22203-1804.<BR>
For more information, call (202)493-10000.<BR>
<b>MARION COUNTY
Are you a veteran and need some information?</b>
The Veterans Administration provides these toll-free numbers where veterans can obtain information about the following:<BR>
<li>1-800-827-1000 - VA benefits, including burial, civilian health and medical programs, death pension, dependency indemnity compensation, direct deposit, directions to VA benefits regional offices, disability compensation and pension, education, home loan guaranty, life insurance, medical care and vocational rehabilitation and employment<BR>
<li> 1-800-442-4551 - Education (GI Bill)<BR>
<li> 1-877-222-8387 - Health care benefits<BR>
<li> 1-800-929-8387 - Income verification and means testing<BR>
<li> 1-800-669-8477 - Life insurance<BR>
<li> 1-888-492-7844 - Mammography help line<BR>
<li> 1-800-749-8387 - Special issues, including Gulf War, Agent Orange, Project Shad, Mustard Agents and Lewsite/Ionizing Radiation<BR>
<li> 1-800-697-6947 - Status of headstones and markers<BR>
<li> 1-800-829-4833 - Telecommunications device for the deaf<BR>